June 06, 2011

2011 MLS Power Rankings: Week 12

I remember about a month or so ago, the American soccer blogosphere, and myself, were speculating whether or not the Hoops would hit an upswing after a rather rocky start. Well, our speculation was not wasted. Dallas looked just as menacing as they were in 2010. Having no call-ups for the Gold Cup will play to their advantage – and raise expectations.

Missing their two Donovan’s, Donovan Ricketts and Landon Donovan, due to Gold Cup call-ups, Galaxy manager Bruce Arena had little hesitation to denounce the Galaxy’s performance. And righteously so. In ways, the Galaxy were a tad bit lucky to finish the match drawn with the revived United side.

First, you completely dismantle Toronto FC in their home stadium, before tying the defending MLS Cup champions? Piotr Nowak has to be happy with the Union’s performance in their sophomore campaign as the Zolos steer two points clear of New York and five up against D.C.

It was a dream performance for Haitien Jean Alexandre, and it looks as if RSL is finally regaining their expected form. Perhaps the absence of Saborio is a factor?

5. D.C. UNITED
Last Week: 6
Result: T 0-0 @ LA
Last Five: W-T-T-W-T

An impressive shut out from the young back line, has allowed Black-and-Red supporters to tentatively sigh in relief about United’s defense. However, fans can only ponder what would happen if Josh Wolff had a bit of luck on his side.

Sounders FC fans will praise the fact that Keller clocked a solid 90 minutes, and kept a clean sheet away from the confines of Qwest Field. Keep in mind though, they were in fact playing Chicago. Not exactly the stiffest team in the world.

The Houston victory was convincing, and has disproved my original intentions of the team’s capabilities. It would be a horrendous ripoff if this team does not make playoffs by the virtue of playing in the Western Conference.

8. CHIVAS USA
Last Week: 8
Result: W 1-0 vs. POR
Last Five: W-L-T-T-W

In the blink of the eye thoughts went from “Fraser out in 2012” to “the Goats better hold on to Fraser”. Chivas is looking their best since they heydays four years back.

This is so bad that I needed to go back to the Red Bulls’ 2011 schedule to see the last time they won a match. Ready? It was a 1-0 win...against Kansas City, on April 30. To make matters worse, about 95% of American preteen and 20-something soccer fans in the Twitterverse have abruptly, and vehemently, declared that after one year of Tim Ream being a solid prospect that he “sucks balls”.

Given the fact that this is supposedly a "rebuilding year"for the Crew, Waryzcha and company have done a good job keeping the Flying Canaries in playoff contention. Mendoza thankfully has been given the Crew an undefeated run at Crew Stadium in the campaign.

So, it takes a penalty kick for the Rapids to salvage a point at home against the Union? I get it. It’s 2011, and the Union are a fairly upgraded side, but the defending MLS Cup champions should expect more out of themselves. If this trend or swoon continues, we’re looking at the 2011 Rapids becoming the 2006 Galaxy. Can you hear the word “fluke” roaming out of Salt Lake City? I can.

At this point, I guess you could say that for the Fire to draw at home against the Sounders is a token of merit? Okay, they go up one spot in the Power Rankings for not losing, and going on a trite two match tying streak.

The long, flustering ten-match away spell is has finally concluded. It will only take a few days to find out how misleading the Wizards’ posistion really is in the Eastern Conference. Vermes has to be impressed with the two recent wins, which include a shutout vs. a Toronto side yearning for redemption in front of their electric home crowd.

The way a restricted Real Salt Lake side plucked through the Whitecaps back line was almost as unsettling as Fernando Torres scoring a goal against the United States. Personally, I believe the best way to solve the ‘Caps’ leaky defense is to sign four traffic cones and immediately put them into the starting XI. Soehn has a lot of work ahead of him.

In the midst of the sackings of Thordarson and de los Cobos as well as the recent surge of chants demanding the dismissing of both Bob Bradley and Sunil Gulati, I am contemplating when the chants to fire Aron Winter will roll around. In the form he has them in, it cannot be too far from now. This will obviously be followed by a letter from MLSE asking TFC fans and supporters to “give us time”.